Ms. Gemma Morell-Delgado | Environmental Data Analysis – Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology | Spain
Gemma Morell Delgado is an emerging leader in the fields of industrial ecology, ecodesign, and circular economy, with particular expertise in textile waste management. Currently a PhD researcher at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB), her interdisciplinary work bridges design, environmental science, and public policy. Through academic research, consulting, and communication, she advocates for sustainable transformation in product development and material use. Her ability to connect science with society is evident in her public talks, media presence, and academic leadership in sustainability education.
Professional Profile
Education
Gemma’s academic foundation is rooted in design and sustainability. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design Engineering from Elisava Faculty of Design and Engineering, where she specialized in Product Development. She later pursued advanced interdisciplinary training with a Master’s Degree in Environmental Sustainability, focusing on Industrial Ecology. This was complemented by an Official Master’s in Interdisciplinary Environmental, Economic, and Social Sustainability at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, equipping her with systems-level knowledge of sustainability challenges. She also enhanced her technical and global perspective through a professional course at MIT, reinforcing her international academic profile. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Environmental Sciences and Technology, exploring the environmental and social dimensions of textile waste.
Experience
Gemma has developed a multifaceted career across academia, consultancy, and research. She is a titular professor at Elisava, teaching sustainability, materials, and life cycle assessment in both undergraduate and master’s programs. She also lectures in the Master’s in Environmental Sustainability at SHIFTA by Elisava. Her professional experience includes a role at Inèdit Innova as an ecodesign and LCA consultant, where she supported companies in making environmentally informed product decisions. She has also held research roles focused on smart and nanomaterials, including as an R1 researcher at Elisava Research, and worked in CX engagement and innovation at Zurich. Prior roles in marketing and operations within the textile sector further strengthened her applied understanding of product systems and industry practices. Across all roles, Gemma has focused on combining technical depth with real-world impact.
Research Interest
Gemma’s research is focused on the systemic implications of textile waste, both environmentally and socially. Her doctoral work investigates how used garments from the Global North are transported and disposed of in regions such as the Atacama Desert, revealing patterns of global inequality embedded in material flows. She applies life cycle thinking, qualitative systems mapping, and design-led methods to explore and challenge current waste management systems. Her work also explores how speculative design and critical storytelling can shift public perception and behavior. Additional interests include sustainable materials, environmental communication, and the role of design in shaping circular economies.
Awards
Gemma’s contributions have been recognized through multiple prestigious awards and grants. In 2023, she was selected for the INPhINIT Retaining PhD Fellowship from the “la Caixa” Foundation. She also received two other major research grants the same year: the FPU Grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science and the FI-Joan Oró Grant from the Government of Catalonia, both of which she respectfully declined in favor of the INPhINIT Fellowship. Her project Photodermis earned the Silver ADI Medal 2022, as well as recognition from the Catalonia Ecodesign Award, Global Grad Show, and the ei! Award by Elisava. In 2021, she was listed as Top 1 Graduate in Other Engineering Degrees in Spain by the Spanish Society for Academic Excellence, and was named a High Potential by the Art Directors Club of Europe.
Publications
The Journey of a Discarded T-shirt: From the Global North to the Atacama Dumpsite
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Authors: Gemma Morell-Delgado, Laura Talens Peiró, Susana Toboso-Chavero
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Citation (APA style):
Morell-Delgado, G., Talens Peiró, L., & Toboso-Chavero, S. (2025). The journey of a discarded T-shirt: From the Global North to the Atacama dumpsite. Circular Economy and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-025-00618-z
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Publication Year: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s43615-025-00618-z
Revealing the Management of Municipal Textile Waste and Citizen Practices: The Case of Catalonia
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Authors: Gemma Morell-Delgado, Laura Talens Peiró, Susana Toboso-Chavero
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Citation (APA style):
Morell-Delgado, G., Talens Peiró, L., & Toboso-Chavero, S. (2024). Revealing the management of municipal textile waste and citizen practices: The case of Catalonia. Science of the Total Environment, 907, 168093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168093
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Publication Year: 2024
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DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168093